Posted on 02/24/2006 7:43:08 PM PST by smoothsailing
Republican Irey might run against Murtha
Friday, February 24, 2006
By James O'Toole, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Diana Irey, the Republican Washington County commissioner, is considering a challenge to U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha, D-Johnstown, the veteran congressman whose critique of the Iraq war has attracted national attention in recent months.
John Brabender, her media strategist, said that while Mrs. Irey had not made a final decision on the race, she is circulating nominating petitions and is "very serious'' about the prospect of ousting the longest-serving member of the state's congressional delegation.
Mrs. Irey, the only woman elected as commissioner in Washington County, referred questions about the race to Mr. Brabender.
Mr. Murtha, who has cultivated a reputation as a champion of the military during more than three decades in Congress, stoked the debate on the war with his call last year for a withdrawal of troops from Iraq.
Mr. Murtha has traditionally enjoyed support across party lines in past elections, but Mr. Brabender contended that his anti-war statement had changed that.
"Obviously, he has angered some people in his district,'' Mr. Brabender said.
Cindy Abram, Mr. Murtha's press secretary, said it would be premature to comment...
snip
The challenge of defeating the longtime incumbent would be compounded by the fact that he is one of the biggest fund-raisers in the House, having collected more than $1.6 million in 2005.
"Mr. Murtha's having a ton of money and where it came from will be part of the campaign,'' Mr. Brabender predicted.
Copyright © PG Publishing Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved.
(Excerpt) Read more at post-gazette.com ...
I just hope you come home safe and somehow I can figure out a way to make you buy the beers when Diana wins.
Hey, there's always PayPal... ;]
Yes, it has, but my recollection is that the more Republican areas of the county are in the 18th district while the more Democrat areas of the county are in the 12th. Let's see...Greene...used to be definite Democrat...Bush was leading on election night, may have carried the county...Fayette (north and east portions are in the 12th)...looks like a little piece of Allegheny (Elizabeth/Forward area)....northwest Somerset County...various parts of Westmoreland, southern Armstrong, southern Cambria, a small chunk of Indiana...
Someone from Washington County may have some campaigning to do but obviously the district is winnable for a Republican.
If Hanoi Kerry didn't coast in this district, I really don't see Murtha coasting this time around. Even with his war chest. Diana Irey will get some serious support from military members and veterans nationwide. Will it be enough? I dunno.
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